It was a miraculous rescue operation.
US Coast Guard
somehow located a man who went overboard
on a Carnival cruise ship
that set sail from New Orleans.
It was headed for Mexico.
The man sister reported the man
missing around noon on Thursday.
He was last
seen at a bar on board
the boat around 11 p. M the night before.
So joining us now
is Lieutenant Seth Cross Gross.
He is the
Coast Guard search and rescue
coordinator who conducted this mission.
This is absolutely fascinating.
And first,
we just don't know how he's doing
but also how you found him.
Yeah.
Good morning and thank you for having me.
So currently, at last known,
his condition is in stable
as he is receiving
additional evaluation
at a local hospital.
So here, listen, Lieutenant.
Question for you,
because they've been saying that
he was missing for 12 hours
or he was in the water for 12 hours.
Can you clarify for us
because 12 hours
seems like a long time
to be in the water.
Yes, sir. Absolutely incredible.
So, you know,
the Coast Guard
received their initial
notification yesterday
at two 30 in the afternoon
are reporting
that a potential man overboard
from the carnival,
they made the water out
down the Mississippi
We have not been able to confirm
when he entered the water.
So we're under the assumption
any points and 11 p.m.
on Wednesday on
he could have entered the waterway
so he
he realistically
could have been in the water
for 15 plus hours
before we were able
to successfully rescue him.
Oh my God.
Can you kind of just walk us through
if you get a report
like this of someone
who has fallen overboard,
someone who is missing.
How do you find them in the waters.
Yeah, every case
is different
and this one was especially complex.
So given the time difference between
when he was last seen.
So when the Coast Guard
received notification,
we knew that
communication with the Mariners
in the Gulf of Mexico
was going to be critical.
So we issue out a broadcast,
a safety net message,
and an urgent
Marine information broadcast
that essentially alerts
all mariners
operating in the Gulf of Mexico
of our situation
In addition,
we launched all available resources
to try to get on scene,
understanding that time was paramount.
So we had a small boat out of Venice.
We had a Coast Guard helicopter
out in New Orleans
and airplanes
out of Clearwater and Mobile.
So just for clarity here,
you have you spoken to him as anyone,
I imagine
the doctors are able to talk to him.
Is it in any condition to speak?
Because he could clarify, I would think,
what time he went in the water
with the conditions,
how long he was in there
You know what I'm saying was in it.
Absolutely.
And detail certainly to follow.
So right now,
he is undergoing
additional medical evaluation.
I did speak with his family
who on board the carnival
on one of those memories
which which will stay with me
for a long time.
So, you know, details to comments
as we kind of learn more
about his circumstance.
But, you know, obviously
a huge testament
to the working relationship
that the Coast Guard
has with the Mariners
in the Gulf of Mexico.
And then
obviously the training and commitment
and professionalism of the Coast
Guard, men and women
really resulted
in this successful outcome
we're all thrilled about.
Have you ever rescued
someone who's been in the water
for this long?
What's the longest period?
I'll be honest with you.
You know, a 17 year career.
This case is unlike anything
I've been a part of.
So, you know,
I think it kind of blows the norm,
the normalcy out of the water here.
I it really just shows
the world to live
is is something
that you need to account for
in every search and rescue case.
And how long could someone realistically
speaking, this is something in between,
how long could someone
realistically survive treading water
You know, I couldn't say definitively.
I think a lot of it
depends on on the individual,
the water temperature,
the sea state, the currents.
And when this is, like I said, one of the
absolute longest that I've heard about
and just
one of those Thanksgiving miracles.
Yeah.
Well, the water in the Gulf,
a little bit warmer. So I don't know.
Do you know
the temperature was Lieutenant?
No. Yeah.
So I think the temperature reported to me
was just above 70 degrees Celsius.
And that last night
not so bad and a little bit colder.
In the river.
You know,
I do think it's important to note
that we had over
200 miles of active search in the
in the Gulf of Mexico.
So when the motor vessel Chris
came upon him
and vectored in the helicopter
just a huge success story.
You know this is absolutely amazing.
It is a holiday miracle like he said
it is a holiday miracle.
And I know you said
you spoke to that man's family.
I'm sure they are so grateful
for your efforts.
And thank you for coming
on, Lieutenant Seth Gross to
to talk about this with us
and tell us what happened
Yeah, it is my pleasure.
Thank you so much for having me.
And, you know,
obviously, a team effort,
but thrilled, thrilled
with their successful service to you
and your team did amazing work.
So thank you.